Earlier, the delegation on Saturday called on President Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to urge the central government to find a solution to the present Kashmir crisis politically rather than administratively.

"The failure of the central government to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature has worsened the already volatile situation," Omar, who was leading a delegation of 20 opposition leaders, told reporters after an hour-long meeting with the President. "We have requested the President to impress upon the central government to initiate a credible and meaningful process of political dialogue without any further delay involving all stakeholders to address the political issue in the state," the National Conference leader said.

He said the continued refusal of the Centre to deal with the situation through a political approach ‘is disappointing and can have serious long term implications on peace and stability in the state’. The former Chief Minister, who was flanked by Congress MLAs led by state PCC Chief G A Mir, CPM MLA M Y Tarigami and Independent legislator Hakim Yaseen said, "The fire that has been raging in Kashmir Valley for last 42 days has already started spreading across Peer Panjal and Chenab Valley in Jammu region and Kargil area."

Accusing opposition parties of Jammu and Kashmir of trying to stoke the ongoing unrest in the Valley, BJP said it was "unfortunate" that those who held power for long and are responsible for the problems in Kashmir, are now "adding fuel to the fire". A day after a delegation of parties, including National Conference and Congress, led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met President Pranab Mukherjee, BJP said the meeting was nothing but a "photo-op exercise".

"It is very unfortunate that those parties who were long in power and due to whom the Kashmir problem persists, are now adding fuel to the fire there. Their meeting with the President was nothing but a photo-op exercise," its National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.